checking lifter preload question

[cwh19]

To check lifter preload, do you put a pushrod in the intake lifter, put the rocker on, torque it down and make sure it is snug throughout the openning and closing?

[Rodeheavers]

if I loose you with this, just go to compcams.com and read their article on it...
First: do each cylinder individually, Second: to adjust/check the intake valve you must rotate the engine clockwise(its normal rotation) until you see the exhaust side lifter starting to move upwards, at this point the intake lifter is on the basecircle of the cam and you can check preload or adjust it if you have an adjustable valvetrain, but if you dont you will need a dial indicator and set it up so you can measure how far the rocker is pushing in the center of the lifter when you are tightening it down... this is your preload(how far the center of the lifter went down) its usually around .020-.040 (hipshooting, better check the manuel), If you are preloading the lifter to the correct spec then you dont need rocker shims of different length pushrods. Third: to check the exhaust side preload, you must rotate the engine clockwise until the intake lifter goes all the way up and 3/4 of the way back down, this will put the lifter on the basecircle of the exhaust lobe and it can be adjusted or checked... you can check any pushrod engine in the world like this...

[cwh19]

Yes that makes sense.

Whenever the rockers are being set, do you do all the intake ones first then do the exhaust side or do you do each cyllinder completely?

[Rodeheavers]

to help me keep everything straight in my head, I will do each cylinder...

[cwh19]

OK when installing the rockers, I torqued them down and rotated the crank one full revolution and a few of the pushrods spin slightly is that ok? They don't move up and down just a few spin

[Rodeheavers]

OK when installing the rockers, I torqued them down and rotated the crank one full revolution and a few of the pushrods spin slightly is that ok? They don't move up and down just a few spin

if you have colapsed the lifter then they will be loose and some will spin... the only way to get them back up is to soak them in oil or run the motor so they can "pump up" with oil... get one of the rockers back to the base circle of the cam like i said above and loosen it and check the preload... (how much they are pushing the middle of the lifter down) there is a small spring inside the lifter that will open it back up, but the spring isnt strong like and oil filled lifter, so it will not take much pressure to push it down once the oil has blead out of the lifters...

[cwh19]

if you have colapsed the lifter then they will be loose and some will spin... the only way to get them back up is to soak them in oil or run the motor so they can "pump up" with oil... get one of the rockers back to the base circle of the cam like i said above and loosen it and check the preload... (how much they are pushing the middle of the lifter down) there is a small spring inside the lifter that will open it back up, but the spring isnt strong like and oil filled lifter, so it will not take much pressure to push it down once the oil has blead out of the lifters...

Ok. I think its all good. The rod is perfectly tight when the lifter is up and just spins slightly whenever its at the base.